13-year-old takes the lead in First Coast Opera performance

AMAHL, played by Matthew Morse, and Amahl's mother, played by Janet Rabe-Meyer, sing during a rehearsal of 'Amahl and the Night Visitors.'

Contributed Photo Matthew Morse, the 13-year-old star of First Coast Opera's "Amahl and the Night Visitors," said his biggest challenge so far is trying to sing opera and beat up a king's page at the same time.

"I think it's going to give me a headache for a while," he said.

Morse, who had only sung in church prior to landing the role of Amahl and entering the world of opera, has had a lot to learn, but it doesn't seem to faze him.

"I'd never really listened to opera before this play, but now I think it's neat."

Morse was discovered by First Coast Opera artistic director Barbara Norris, who has been giving him, his three siblings and his mother singing lessons.

"I think Matthew was scared and excited at the same time," said Norris, who is producing the show. She's also working with Morse's sisters, Leah and Abby, and his mother, Dawn, who are participating in the opera that will be performed Sunday and Monday.

Despite Morse's being a little green at opera, she said, he had the rare combination of the right voice and the right attitude.

"Most of the time, a small woman or girl plays Amahl," said Norris. "You don't often find a boy capable of doing it. And these days, there are not many boys interested in singing opera. There is no model for that."

"Amahl and the Night Visitors" was composed by Gian Carlo Menotti as a short, one-act opera, written and sung entirely in English.

Morse's character is a crippled boy living with his mother. She is deeply troubled because they have become so poor, they will have to go begging to survive. But Amahl is exuberant and full of life. In fact, he's so enthusiastic, he's often given to exaggeration.

One night, they are visited by three kings on their way to see the Christ child. The operatic fight scene comes when his mother is caught by a king's page while trying to steal his gold and Amahl rushes to his mother's defense. Morse said it hasn't been too hard to get into character because he's able to relate to Amahl.

"Before the kings came, he probably deviled his mother a little because he stretched the truth a lot and I used to be like that."

Also like Morse, Amahl eventually gives his mother more to be proud of than to worry about.

"Amahl and the Night Visitors" will be performed at 5 p.m. Sunday, 6 p.m. Monday at the Lightner Museum, 75 King St. Call 797-6820.